Shoemaking machinery



May 26,1942. RQH R 2,283,953

SHOEMAKING MACHINERY Filed Nov. 7, 1-959 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 26, 1942.

J. M. ROHRER SHOEMAKING MACHINERY 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 7, 1939 IE: m R ab 2w May 26, 1942.

J. M. RoHRER SHOEMAKING MACHINERY F iled Nov. 7, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 May 26, 1942. J. M. R OHR ER V 3, 5

' SHOEMAKING MACHINERY 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 7, 1959 May 26, 1942. .1. M. ROHRER 2,283,953

, SHOEMAKING MACHINERY Filed Nov. 7, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 spring-held stems,

Patented May 26, 1942 t i U N l T E D" V STATESv PAT E NT FF'ILCE.

2,283,953 SHQEMAKING MACHINERY" 3 John Milton ltohrer, orwigsburg, Pa. Applipation November 7, 1939, Serial No. 3033199" (01. 12-7) 34 Claims.

My invention relates to the manufacture of shoes and comprisesimproved, means for effect-t ins e proper p rt for. an p e n a as which is subsequently sewn to thewelt. v

Heretofore-it has been. the common practice to tack theinsole to-the last in-theposition itis to bear with respect, to the upper and/or shoe, then to bring the welted edge oi the upper over the edges'of such insole and tack them; in place, preparatory to placing the last, and upper upon a supportin which itwill beheldjn proper posi-. tion with respect to the insole for subsequent application of the outer sole, which, is f rstocemented in placeandsubsequently-sewn to, the welt. Before the outer sole is applied, itis necese sary to remove the tacks, previously applied in the manner. notedabove- The presence of the tacks is always. objectionable; they frequently break and become lost in theshoeand ii pres nt will always workout and-forma. source of annoyance to the wearer, coupled with acertain amount of danger, if the wearer is. a child,

In carrying outmy invention I effectuthe proper positioning of the insolewith, respect to the upper on a last, andthe properholdingw of the same with the insole inthe-properposition for the application of the-outsole, without the use of tacks or similar fastenings; the 1 1 being pressed into position. with respect to the upper and the latter brought into. proper relation. with respect to the insole and. then clamped so. that these parts are ready for the application oi the outer sole, which may becemented inplace'in, the usual manner, preparatory to sewing the same to the welt.

As part of. themeansfor carrying'out my'pres: ent invention, I provide a sectional mold which is mounted upon a'suitablesupporting table or bed-plate, and this mold, receives the uppersaiter they have been placed upon a last, whereby. the insole may, be applied in proper position and the welt may be flattened down inproper position for the receptionof the. outer sole.

The sections or my improved moldare, pivotally supported and I employ. aseries of levers for engagement with said sections in order that the mold may be held in aclosed position. I also rovide the ends of the levers withsupplemental which parts serve. to hold the mol s c on e under, slight tension when the levers are out of clamping position; sllQh insoles to uppers of such type preparatory to the application of the outer 501a supplemental springs h to permit outward displacement of the moldSBQ tions when a last and upper; are being placed in the mold simultaneously withthe application of the insole thereto preparatory to operationsconnected with the application of the outer; sole.

A further object-of my invention is to provide means for covelj ngthe joints between the mold sections to avoid pinching of the leather ofthe: uppers as they are positioned in the mold such means beingdisplaceable. r 1 p A further object of my invention is to provide means for displacing into the mold the joint-;

covering means may be finallypositioned in; the mold-and tightly clamped with the insole preparatory to application of the outer sole thereto A further objectof my inventionis to provide means for pressing the insole into proper A further objectoi my invention is to provide 7 simple and efiicient'meansfor applying the pressure device. p

These and other features of my invention are more fully set forth hereinafter; reference'being had to the accompanying drawings, more or less diagrammatic in character in whichz Figure lis a side elevation partly broken away, of apparatus embodyingthefeaturesof my present invention. v ,r

Fig 1? is a fragmentary View, showing part of the mechanism illustrated s ng, I in another position. I Y s Fig, 2 is asectional elevation of the mold structure I employ and the lever mechanism for clamping the mold sections; the latter being illustrated in the disengaged position.

Fig. 3A is. a diagrammatic plan view of .thQ 56C.- tional mold structure; the mold beingshown'in e os s ti b reason i he en a ement,

of supplemental holding means, Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional'view of a portion of one of the mold sections.

Figs. 5, 6 and? are fragmentary sectional views of the sectional mold, illustrating successive steps in the positioning of. a last and-,HPPQI with an insole therein. l

Fi s 9 a 0 a i e a matmrlanvieW f e q ion l mol uch, views b ing c mnler m tal, wi 5, a dflbeing readily compressed in order that the last and upper.

Figs. 11 and 12 are sectional-views on the lines XI-XI and iflI-JHI, respectively, Fig. 6.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view, and Fig. 14 is an inverted plan View of the resilient guiding blades and their support.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the mold structure, illustrating adetail of my invention.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line XVIXVI, Fig. 15, and 1 Fig. 17 is a" diagrammatic view illustrating molds for right and left uppers.

have slight swinging movement with respect to the mold base; the outward extent of which is limited by headed pins or'set screws l6, which pass through'openings I 3 in th mold sections and enter the wall I2 of the base. Thi construction is clearly illustrated in Fig. 4. By hinging the mold sections to the base, it is possible The so-called Puritan welt shoe, has a welt that is first sewn to the edge of the upper; all;

around the same; the upper presenting an edge of proper contour so thatthe operator maybe guided by the same in applying the:.WE1t.': By reason of the manner of applying this welt, it lies to use a single base with sections for right and left uppers, and for sections for different size uppers; the base portions of all sections being alike. 7 a r V In the present instance, the mold is made up 1 of ten sections; five at the toe portion; three at substantially in contact with the outer surface.

of the upper-and above the lower edge ,of the same after application; th curving or rounding of; the upper subsequently found in the finished shoe being entirely absent; In the steps of completing the shoe, the welt must be flattened and disposed-substantially atright angles to the vertical axis of the shoe,;an operation which effects the desiredrounding or curving of the upper and, by reason of the displacement of the sewn edge ofupper and welt, such' edge may be said to overhang the interior of the upper after it'has been applied to the last. The heel portion of the upper; is preferably shaped to conform to the heel portion of the last sothat the upper will lie in theproperlongitudinal position with respect to the last, and after such upper is placed on a last it is toreceive aninsole and, usually, a filler piece w, sole'so as to takeup the thickness of the sewn edge of upper and welt which overlies the insole. 'Ihesurface of. the insole may receive a coating of --cement for :contact with the filler piece, and

the enter-surface of the'filler piece and the welt may receivea coating of cement for the recephich lies between the insole and the outer I theheel' portion, and oppositely disposed side or shank sections between the toe and heel sections. The severalimold sections are particularly identified by the reference characters a, b, c, d, e, f,

g, h,,i and 7c. The section a at the centre of the heel .portionis fixed to the base and afi'ords an abutment against which -the lasted upper is pressed as it is entered into the mold. The sections f, g, h, i and k at the toe portion and in the abutting'relation of the sections 1 and k with theside sectionsd and e, present a series of joints. of which there are six. The presence of these joints between the'mold sections might havev a tendency to pinch' or nip the leather of the upper as the same is placed in the mold, andfo'r the purpose of providing a smooth entrance forthe upper,.I arrange a series of very thin blades which are carried by a vertically movable block mounted on a spring-supported sleeve carried by a post within the sectional mold tion of the outer sole Whose applied, surface has been previously cemented, and vafterfsuch outer solehas been pressedinto final position with respect to the upper, it may be sewn to the welt; thus completing the shoe. These cementing steps are inline with; practice already known in the shoemakingart. i 7 1 r The means forclosing th mold and holding thesame in aclosed position while further operationsarecarried on in connection withan upper on a last placed therein form the subject. of a pending-application for patent. To that means, in the presentcase has been added supplemental springs which hold sliding rods in engagement with the moldsections, so that the mold is al-- waysin the closed' position; in. slight tension when empty .to'facilitateentrance of the last and upper with theinsole, and in full gripping engagement when the, upper has been finally niountedtherein with the applied insole in place. I 'The mold structurein the present instance, indicated generally'at 'l Lmaycompri'se a base I2, with an inner upstandingfwall I 2?; such base supporting pivotally mounted sections l3. The mold base,- which may besec'ured to the bed of a table .l l'dir'ectly beneath mechanism for press-- supporting a toe rest for the last and upper. Before the last with an upper thereon is entered into vthe mold, these blades extend above the same and in this position they may be spread slightly to permit ready entrance of the last and upper. In placing the last and upper in the mold,

the toe. portion of the upper is presented to these blades in such position and/or relation as to engage the surface of the upper with their upper ends beneath the welt previously applied to the upper. Upon pressing'the last and upper rearwardlyagainst the fixed heel section a of the moldand thendownwardly into the mold, these blades arecarrieddown against the tension of the spring supporting the sleeve carrying the block to'which such blades are secured, and these blades may be; finally completely depressed, out of the wayof the upper or shoe, by manual means.

In the present instance I have provided the mold 'base l2 with a supporting post 20, which carries a sleeve 2| supporting a block 22; the sleeve being normally supported by a spring 23 surrounding the post 20. The sleeve also supports a toe rest 24 which follows depression of the sleeve against the tension of the spring 23 until it'rests' upon the post 20 and supports the last and upper in their final position in the mold. The joint-covering blades are indicated at 25 and 26; the blades 25, fourin number, being attached directly to theunder side of the block 22 at 25 while the two blades indicated at .26 are carried by spring extensions 26 which underlie V positioning of place. As the upper and last" are pushed. tion oi the welt asgthey are: brought down, they i the mold, the guiding blades are pushed down;

and 'asthey cover the joints between the. moldsections, there is no danger of 'theleather of the shoe being pinched.

At theheel portion of heel support, resiliently mounted. In thepresent instance I employ a post 30; fixed to the base 7 12, with a spring 31 surrounding the same in snug contact, and the upper end ofthis spring receives a heel support 32, the stem 32 of which is spaced from theupper end of the post 30so that he heel portion of the lastwith the upper is always resiliently supported;

The upper ona last with" theapplied insole isset in the mold with the heel portion thereof toward the heel portionof the-mold which, in general practice'is set toward the left-hand of the operator. The mold sections being in the closed position but only under slight tension, they; may be outwardly displaced slightly in order to insure proper engagement of the top flanged portions of the mold sections with the upper just beneath the weltwhich, at thisstage of the operation lies almost in contact with the outer surface of the upper or shoe. 1

The insole having been placed upon the bottom of the last before the last and upper are placed in themold', the'operator presses these parts toward the fixed heel section a of the mold; the heel portion ofthe last when in such position overlying the heel sup'port 32 resiliently mounted within the mold. In this operation, the last and upper with the temporarily applied insole are introduced into the mold in theposition indicated in Figs; 5 and 8, and they maybe pressed toward the fixed section a; of the mold by hand, or by positive means such as lever 35, pivotally mounted at 35 It may be desirable to use positive pressure means to insure the proper the last and upper since thewelt, indicated. at m, is relatively stiff and itis necessary to insure proper engagement with the fianged'lips carried by the tops ofthe mold sections; the welt at, that portion of the upper being outturned and lying'on top of said'fianged lip portions of't'he mold sections. 'At the toe portion of the mold; the resilientjoint-covering blades are in the elevated position and in such relation to the upperon the last that the toe the mold I providea will. slide ofr'the same and hold the'insole in proper upper until' final. pressure: is applied by the stem. 39 to seat the insole beneath the overhanging edge ofithe upper.

This. spring-pressed mechanism carried by the. plate 36 is so arranged that the stem 38,

disposed over the heel portion of: the insole acts first to press the'insole against the bottom of the .last and the latter to-itsposition upon theheel support 32' within the mold. In the present instance, the spring-pressed means engaging the heelportion of the insole comprises the stem 38 supporting a series of small rollers; the lower end of the stem terminating in a; yoke-piece 38* in which a short shaft 4ilis J'ournaled' and upon which these rollers are mounted. These rollers may be three'in number, acentral one, indicated of slightly larger size than the others, and

at M, which is designed. to engage the insole, and smaller rollers 42 at each side thereof which engage: the welt, as shown in Fig; 11; It is desirable to provide rollers since there is a certain amount of movementimparted to the in- 1 sole and/or the upper lengthwise of the mold as portion thereof may be placed in the space-dethe" slight overhang the upper body will present when the insole is finally in place, and this may be accomplished'by bringing a pressing device from a point above the mold into engagement with suchinsole.

This pressing device comprises a plate 36',

carried by a vertically disposed rod onstandard 3?, which may be raised and lowered with respect to the lastvand' upper within'the mold. The'plate 38 carries depending stem 38 and 39 for engagement with the insole, 'indicated'at' B; the-stem 38 being resiliently connected' with said plate and the stem 39 having a series of spring fingers sl surrounding the same. These spring fingers are so 3% as to engage the insole in advance of the engagement by said stem. The fingers 39 preferably have upturned ends 39 with rounded" surfaces so that should they first engage anyporarranged with respect to: the stem the latter is positioned in the same during the application or the insole, and the presence of these rollers notxonly provides the desired pressure, but also permits the ready movement of the insole, last and upper'beneath the same without unduexfriction.

The stem 38' carrying the rollers 4| and 42 preferably: fits within a sleeve lfi-depending from the plate 36', and: between the end of this sleeve and the yoke-piece 38* carrying the rollers, I-

provide a coiled spring 44 ofsufficient tension toinsure the. desired pressure on the-insole. The stem and sleeve may have a pin and slot connection, 45: and 45 to permit. movement between the parts under or against the tension. of the spring 44 whenztheplate 36 isrlowered; into the proximity of the mold: andtheinsole and Welt are engaged by the :rollers.

The insole being in the: position illustrated in Fig. 5:. andit being desired .topress the-same into position withrespect. to the upper. within the mold, the stem 31: is lowered by hand; bringing the-contact devices of. theplate 3'6. intov engagement with the insole. In, this position, the flexibleguiding blades 25;; and, 26-. are in; the. elevated position; being supported in: such position by-the springxgzfi'. For the purpose of finally movingthese guiding blades, entirely 'bel'ow the welt; portion of theupper within the same, I provide; manually operated: means in the 'form of; a: leverfifl, pivotally mountedz at 511?, toapost 51, carried: by-the mold base t2 and'provided with an'operatinghandle, 501 This lever lies beneath, and toe rest or: support 24: and; p sses between the, mold sections 71. and i; normally lying with the handle in the. upper position, with the lever blade in: engagement ,wit-h the lower wall of a. notch 521 irntheedge of the section 71., as illustrated in Figi 5. When the lever is: finally operated. by; pushing down the handle 50 to completely lower the guidingblades: 25 and 26 surrounding the, toe portion of the last; and upper, it may be held by providing themold section it with a second notch or recess 53, under the upper wall portion of'which it may be caught. as illustrated in Figs. '7 and 10.- In the present instance, this lever blade is duplexand has a portion encircling the sleeve?! supporting the blade carrying block 22 position with respect to the last and.

' In the first operationgof lowering the press v ing mechanism, which is manual, the insole'is pressed into place and the block carrying the guiding blades .25 and 26 is lowered until it strikes the lever 50. In' this action, the block 55 at the upper end of the stem v3'! is lowered to the position shown in dotted lines, Fig. 1, and full lines, Fig. 1. :After the lever 50 is lowered, following this operation of the pressing'mechanism', the .operatorsteps on the :treadle. 56, and thisaction, through a'series oflinks. and levers,

brings-a .latch 51 into engagement with the" block 55; further pressure on said treadle, through said latch, lowering the pressing mechanism to final'position, as illustrated in Fig. 6.

The last and upper are now seated in the mold withthe insole in proper positionwith respect to the same, and the mold sections are brought into clamping position by the levers- 60, under the action of the springs 6|; such levers being released by stepping on the treadle 62, illustrated in Fig. 2. The clamping lever mechanism functions in the same manner as similar mechanism illustrated in my pending applica-- tions for patents. In the present instance, howeverjl'have added details desirable in the carrying out of my present invention.

In order that the clamping'levers may be maintained. in thedesired position with respect to the mold sections, the latter are. provided with guiding ears I 3s which may be integral with such sections or secured thereto; such means preventing displacement of the ends of the upper or shoeis then ready to receive the outer sole, which is" applied after the surface'of the filler piece and the welt has been coated with 7 upper is then ready to have the sole sewn to clamping levers and insuring direct application of the desired pressure against said sections in clamping the lasted upper or shoe within the mold. In the operation of carrying out my present invention it is desirable to have the sections of the mold in the closed position for the placement of the last and upper therein with the applied insole, and I accomplish this by providing the ends of thejclamping levers with spring-pressed stems 65,: which bear against the mold sections in advance of the lever ends when the levers are out of clamping position. These stems may pass-throughthe ends of these levers,

as shown'in- Fig. 3,;and their rearwardly projecting ends are connected to coiled springs 66 whose inner ends are anchored to'the ends of the levers at 66. This supplemental means effects the closing of the mold sections under very slight tension; permitting their ready out- I ward displacement when the last and upper with the applied insole are placed therein. After the last and upper have been; finally clamped in the mold withthe insole in proper position andLthe upper is ready'to receive an outer sole, the operator releases the insolepressing means by" stepping on the latch 58, which releases the treadle 56; such latch having engaged a lug 56 on the treadle when the latter was lowered. As soon as this is done, the pressthe welt, edge-trimmed and as a finished shoe.

Forv this purpose the last and-upper must be removed from the mold and to eifect this the operator pressesdown fully on the treadle 62; such action lowering the rods 63 carrying the sliding ring 64 to which the clamping levers 60 are operatively connected. After the upper with its applied outer sole has been removed from the mold, the latter is to be made ready for the reception-of another last and upper, and for this purpose the mold sections are to be under the light tension of the spring-pressed stems 65. For this purpose, I provide a latch 62, which engages the treadle in the position illustrated in full lines, Fig. 2; such latch being held toward its engaging position by aspring 62 The treadle is permitted to assume the position indicated by broken lines when freeing the clamping levers so that they may engage and clamp the mold sections against the last and upper within the same; the operator releasing the latch 62 after slight pressure on the treadle 62. With the treadle engaged by the latch- 62, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the clamping levers 60 will be held out of engagement with the mold sections, but the latter will be closed by the engagement of the supplemental spring-pressedstems 65, ready for reception of the next last and upper.

'.The outer' sole, indicated at C, Fig. 7, may include a heel lift, as indicated at cc, and it will be understood that the manner of applying the outer sole after the insole has been properly positioned with respect to the upper follows the general practice commonly employed in the manufacture of the so-called Puritan welt shoes. It will be understoodof course that it is necessary to employ different mold sections for right and left uppers, and in Fig. 17 I have shown, diagrammatically, molds prepared for the reception of right and left uppers. As the otherwise prepared sections are displaceable from the base, any base may beset up with sections for a. right upper or a left upper, as desired. The flanged lips mg mechanism is raised by the weight 59, through the cord or chain59 connected to the stem 31 carrying the pressing mechanism. In

.this operation, the latch 51, will be moved out of engagement with the block 55 by'spring 51.

Following this displacement of the insolepressing'means from the last and upper, a filling pieceof suitable material,jcomposition, cork, or the like, is set-on top of the insole; filling the space between thev surface of'the latter and the plane or surface of the 'welt. This filler piece having been previously coated with cement, is then tamped in place. The bottom of the lasted carried by the tops of the mold sections are detachable,zand may be changed as desired for the production of different sized shoes. 7

' In addition tothe spring blades 25 and 26 V which serve to guide the upper on a last to its seat in the mold, 'I m'ay provide the toe end of the mold withwiping blades which overlie the flanged lips of the mold sections at the toe end of the same and in position to engage the toe end of the shoe.. These blades are two in number and are carried by stems which are provided with cam elements to hold them in the engaged position, that is to say, in contact with the upper and over the joints between the mold sections, to prevent pinching of the leather. For the purpose of retracting these 'wipingblades and holding them in the disengaged position, away from-the toe portion of the upper within the mold, I provide a spring, cooperating is desired to have these wiping blades overlie the mold sectionsfor engagement with the toe portion of the upper and beneath the welt of the same, the

cam elements are shifted to the position shown in the upper part of Fig. 15, and in Fig.ll6, and the blades are thereby moved to lie over the mold sections and cover the joints between the same; the inner contacting edges of these wiping blades conforming to the contour of the mold and/or the toe portion of the upper. These wiping blades are designed matically, and means may be provided to effect their simultaneous operation. It will be understood. that while these wiping blades have separate operating means it them operate together, and the cam elements may be actuated simultaneously by suitable means that may be readily engaged by the finger or hand of the operator. For this purpose, each of the operating cam elements'might' carry a lever and such levers could be arranged so that up or down movement of thesame, in unison, would actuate said cam elements.

The wiping blades are indicated'at l0, and they are carried by supports 1|, arrarged to slide on stems 12, carried by the moldsections g and i. The stems ,12 carry springs 13 which serve to move the wiping blades out of engagement with the toe portion of the upper; being compressed by the cam; elements when the wiping blades are placed in operativeposition. Each of the stems 12 carries a rotatable cam element l4 having beveled ends Id which fit complementally beveled portions 1 l of the blade supports 1|. The rotatable cam elements lie in such position as operator when it is desired to actuate the wiping blades. Upon displacing the cam elements 14 in one direction, the blades may be pushed in forcibly against the tension of the spring to the position shown in the upper part of Fig. 15. When the cam elements 14 are moved in the opposite direction, the wiping blades will be automatically retracted by the springs 13 to the inactive position, shown in the lower part of Fig. 15. The operating means for thewiping blades 10 are disposed between the top of the. mold sections and the engaging ends of the clamping levers 60.

When the wiping blades H! are employed in connection with the flexible guiding blades 25 and 26, they are in the active position until the insole-pressing means is brought down to force the last and upper withthe applied insole into the mold and just before the final pressure is applied and after have been lowered by the operation of the lever 50. At this point, it is desired to make the final pressing operation by the insole-pressing means, and at such time the wiping blades 10 are withdrawn; such action being effected by rotating the cam elements 14 and permitting the springs 13 to act.

It will be understood that the operation of the insole-pressing means is in two stages; the parts of the same being first lowered by hand, and then positiv pressure being applied by stepping on the treadle 56. If the position of the lever 50, as indicated in Fig. is such as to interfere with the initial or any part of the operative movement of this pressing mechanism, such lever may be displaced from this position beforehand; the block 22 carrying the flexible guiding fingers 25 and 26 being supported by the spring 23 through the sleeve 2|, during the pressing operation. The toe support also partakes of a part of this move ment through a pin and slot connection until it finally rests on top ofthe post 20, after the last is preferable to have to be readily engaged byythe the guiding blades 25 and 2E to be retracted auto- V and upper with the applied insole have been finally seated in the mold. In this connection it may be noted that the stem 39 carries a roller 39 -at its lower end which is brought into operative engagement with the insole in the final stage of the pressing operation. v

It will be understood that the mechanism here 1 shown and described is for'illustrative purposes only and in no sense limiting and that modifications may be made in the several structures employed including the sectional mold and the cooperating mechanism associated therewith without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as set forth in the appended claims which are intended to cover such mechanism broadly.- Iclaim:

combination of a sectional mold for the reception of an upper on a -last, means for clanipin'g'the mold sections in associated relation after the last and upper have been placed in the same, supports for the last within the mold, and displaceable guiding members projecting above the mold for guiding the toe portion tion with respect to the mold sections.

2. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a sectional mold'for the reception ofan upper with'an insoleon a last, means for clamping'the mold sections in associated re} lation after the last and upper have been placed in the same,.supports for the last within the mold, resiliently; supported guiding members projecting above the mold for guiding the toe portion of the upper into position with respect to the-mold sections, and mean fordisplacing said guiding members as the last and upper enters the mold.

3. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a sectional mold for the receptionof an upper with an insole on a last, means foryholdingthe mold, sections in displaceable relation while the upper andlast are being placed in the same, displaceable guiding members-projecting above the mold for guiding the toe portion of the upper into position within the mold,

a resilient support for, said guiding members, means for lowering the last and upper into the mold and simultaneously depressing the guiding members, and means for clamping the mold sections in engagement with the upper for the placement or positioning-of an outer sole.; 7

4:. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a sectional mold for the reception of an upper with an insole on a last, supports for the last and upper within the mold including resilient means for sustaining the toe support, means associated with said toe support for guiding the upper into proper position within the mold, resilient means for holding. the mold sections in associated relation and in position to receive the last and upper with the insole, means for pressing an insole in position within'the upper and outturning the welt comprising a pressure plate operable from a point above the mold, and means for clamping the mold sections into engagement with the upper after the insole has been set in place and prior to application of an outsole. I

5. In apparatus for the placement of insoles in uppers having welts thereon, the combination of a sectional mold adapted to receive an upper on a last, guiding means for the toe portion of the upper, means for pressing an insole into place with respect to the last and upper, and means for 1. In apparatus of the character described, the

of the upper into posiand underlying the welt upper, a resiliently mounted support within the means for clamping the moldsectionsine-ngagement with the upper for the positioning of an outer sole. I

19. In apparatus of the character described the combination of a sectional mold for the reception of an upper on a last, supp'orting'means for the upper within the mold including r'e-' silient means sustaining the toe support, means associated with said toe support for guiding the upper'into proper position within the mold, resilient means for holding the mold sections in associated relation and in position to receive the last and upper, means for pressing an insole into position within the upper and eutturning the welt operable from a point above the mold, and means for clamping the mold sections into engagement with the upper after the insole has been set in place and prior to the application of an outsole.

20. In apparatus for in pre-welted uppers, the

the placement ofv insoles combination of a sectionalmold adapted to receive an upperon a last,

flexible guiding meansprojecting above the mold at the toe portion of the upper, means for pressing an insole into place with respect to the upper, and meansfor displacing the guiding means below the surface of the mold and away from the welted edge of the upper.

21. In apparatus for the placement of insoles in pre-welted uppers, the combination of a sectional mold adapted to receive an upper on a last, guiding means for the toe portion of the upper underlying the welt thereon, means for pressing an insole into place with respect to the upper, and means for displacing the guidingmeans from the welted edge of the upper.

22. In apparatus for the placement of insoles in pre-welted uppers, the combination of a sectional mold, resilient means for holding the mold sections in associated relation; said mold sections being displaceable when an upper on a last is placed in the same, supporting means within the mold for the upper and last; the toe support including a resilient mounting, displaceable guiding means projecting above the mold for the toe portion of the upper and positioned to underlie the welt thereon and associated with said resilient mounting, means for pressing an insole into place with respect to the upper, and means for displacing the guiding means below the surface of the mold and away from the Welted edge of the upper.

23. In apparatus of the character described, th combination of a sectional mold for receiving a pre-welted upper on a last, means for pressing an insole into position with respect to the upper, simultaneously outturning the welt ing the upper in the mold for the reception of an outer sole, guiding means for the toe portion of the upper, a releasable wiper blade carried by one ofthe mold sections in position to underlie the welt at the toe portion of the upper, means for displacing said wiper blade, and means for f sections against the upper when the latter is in final position in the mold.

24. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a sectional mold for receiving a pre-welted upper on a last, means for pressing an insole into the upper, simultaneously outturning the welt and positioning the upper in the mold for the reception of an outer sole; said means being operable from a point above the mold, guiding means for the toe portion of the clamping the mold and position-.

mold for the toe portion of the upper and associated with said guiding means, and resilient fingers carried by the sole-pressing means for engagement with thein'sole. r 25. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a clamping mold of sectional type for receiving and completely enclosing-a prewelted upper --on'a last; a pluralityof said mold sections being movable, means for holding the movable mold sections in associated relation and in such position that the upper andlast may be placed therein,a resilient support for thetoe portion of the last and upper, means for outturning the welt, and'means for clamping all of themovable sections of the moldagainst the upperand the last completely enclosed thereby.

26. In apparatus for the placement of insoles inpre-welted uppers,- the combination of a'sectional mold for the reception of an upper on a lastwith an insole, means for holding the mold sections inassociated relation and-in such-position that a last and upper maybe placed therein, displaceable 'means for guiding the upper into place, a resilient support for the guiding means, means for pressing an insole into position with respect to the upper outturning the welt an-d simultaneously displacing the upper guiding means, and means for clamping the mold sections into engagement with the. upper with the welt outturned ready to receive an outsole.

27. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a sectional mold for receiving a pre-welted upper on a the combination of a sectional mold for receiving the insole, and means a pre-welted upper on a means within the mold'for the heel and toe portions of the last, means for pressing an insole into position with respect to the upper and simultaneously seating the latter in the mold, resilient contact meanscarried by said pressing mean for engagement with the heel and toe portions of for bringing said pressure means into engagement with the insole.

29. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a sectional mold for receiving a pre-welted upper on a last, means for pressing the upper with an interposed insole into said mold and simultaneously outturning the welt comprising a plurality of resilient pressure elements applied from above the mold, guiding means for the toe portion of the upper, resilient supporting means for the lasted upper within the mold, and displaceable wiping blades carried by the mold sections and operable to and from a po- .sition underlying the welt at the toe portion of the upper.

30. In apparatus of the character described,

the combination of a sectional mold for the relast, means for pressing, an insole into position with respect to the upper last, resilient supporting within the same. 7 V a 31. In apparatus of the character described, a

mold for receiving a pre-welted upper on a last] comprising a fixed section at one end of the same and a series of movable sections, means for clamping all of said movable sections in closed position with respect to the fixed section, and means for holding all of said movable sections in closed position under slight tension whereby they may be opened for the reception of the upper and the last upon which it is mounted.

32. In apparatus of the character described, a mold for receiving a pre-welted upper on, a last comprising a fixed section at one end of the same and a series of pivotally mounted sections, springpressed levers for clamping said pivotally-mount ed mold sections with respect to the fixed section and against an upper confined within the same,

means for displacing said levers, and spring-- pressed stems carried by said levers and serving to keep the mold sections closed and under slight tension while the levers are out of clamping position.

in pre-welted uppers, the combination of a sec- 33. In apparatus for the placement of insoles essence I tional moldadapted to receive an upper on a last comprisinga fixed section at one end of the same and a series of movable sections; the movable sections of said mold being under slight tension but sufiiciently yielding to permit entrance of the upper on the last with an insole loosely mounted on the last, means for imparting longitudinal movement to the last and upper to seat the'heel portion in the mold and against the fixed section of the same, means for guiding the toe portion of the upper and the last into the mold, means for pressing the insole into position beneath the overhanging welted edge of the upper, and means for clamping the movable 'sections of the mold against the upper and last after the insole has been seated in place.

34 In apparatus for placing ,insoles in prewelted uppers, the combination of a support for receiving the upper on a last with a loosely placed insole, means for imparting endwise movement to the upper, insole and last in the support, means for guiding the toe portion of the upper into proper position with respect to the support, and means for pressing the insole against the last and' simultaneously outturning the welt .whereby the inner edge-of the welt and upper will overlie the edges of the insole.

JOHN MILTON ROHRER. 

